What is the function of the cecum?

Answer 1

The function of the cecum is to help digest plants through the body.
The cecum stores food temporarily while helpful bacteria digest the cellulose found in the plant cells
In herbivores, the caecum plays an important role in digestion. For example, in horses, the caecum is the main site for the symbiotic bacteria which break down food (eg. cellulose) for the horse.

The caecum absorbs water and salts from undigested foods before they continue on to the large intestine.
The caecum of a squid has a digestive function. It absorbs fluid and salt after food has been digested inside of the squid.

Answer 2

The caecum in the rabbit is greatly enlarged to provide a "fermentation vat" for micro-organisms to break down the cellulose plant cell walls. This is called a functional caecum. The position of the functional caecum after the main areas of digestion and absorption means it is potentially less effective than the rumen. This means that the small molecules that are produced there can not be absorbed by the gut but pass out in the feces. The rabbit solves this problem by eating their own feces so that they pass through the gut a second time and the nutrients can be absorbed in the small intestine. Rabbits produce two kinds of feces. Softer feces are eaten directly from the anus and the harder pellets that have passed through the gut twice.

Answer 3

The cecum is a pouch-like structure at the beginning of the large intestine where fermentation of plant material occurs in some animals. It also plays a role in the absorption of water and salts from undigested food before it moves on to the colon.

Answer 4

The cecum in squid is a digestive organ. It acts similarly to a human's intestines. The cecum is common in may vertebrate organisms, but has little or no function relationship to a squid's.

Answer 5

It is relatively useless and non-functional in cats an dogs. It is a sac between the small and large intestine. It has a big function is horses, guinea pigs and rabbits.